The Best Baby Name Ideas for 2017

If new parents in 2017 were limited to only 100 possible baby name options, what should they be? Nameberry is attempting to answer this question.

We’ve whittled down the thousands of possibilities to find the 100 baby names that we believe are most emblematic of our times ― while also being both somewhat timeless and forward-facing. The names here are perfect for a 2017 baby yet will serve him or her well into the turn of the next century (now there’s an amazing thought).

Of course, there are hundreds of other baby names that potentially fit these criteria. But if we are limited to only 100, these are our picks for the very best of the best ― and our reasons why.

Alden ― May unseat the popular Aiden, thanks to actor Ehrenreich, the new young Han in “Star Wars”

Amity ― Friendly update for Hope and Faith

Amos ― A biblical boy that could follow the newly successful Abel

Araminta ― British classic fresher than Arabella

Arcadia ― Heavenly name for the optimistic

Archer ― Fresher than Hunter, cooler than Arthur

Arrow ― Shooting upwards

Ash ― Cool short form of Ashton or Asher, or full name on its own

Astrid ― Scandinavian import with lots of style

Auden ― Poetic surname chosen by Kelsey Grammer for his son

Aviva ― Vivacious palindromic choice

Baxter ― Could Bax be the new Max?

Bea ― Beatrice or Beatrix short form that stands alone

Benno ― Ancient saint name makes Ben special

Birdie ― Nature name taking flight

Booker ― Iconic hero name with literary and musical associations

Bowie ― The late idol inspiring baby namers

Briar ― New unisex nature name in the Top 000

Calliope ― Love child of Cadence and Penelope

Cassius ― Ancient Roman name that couldn’t be cooler

Celeste ― Ladylike name with heavenly associations

Clara ― Clearly the most stylish Claire-related name today

Clark ― Old-time heartthrob and superhero returns

Corin ― The Bard gave us this distinctive yet straightforward boys’ name

Cressida ― Posh British possibility with a Shakespearean pedigree

Cyrus ― Celeb choice with historic Eastern roots

Daisy ― Perennially-fresh and charming flower name

Dashiell ― Literary name with lots of dash

Delphine ― Chic French twist on floral name

Dylan ― Rebel Nobel poet name turned modern classic

Echo ― Three trends ― mythological, o-ending word name ― in one modern choice